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VOLUNTEER blood donors are desperately needed after figures revealed a dramatic drop in the number of people coming forward.

NHS Blood and Transplant has revealed that 40 per cent fewer new volunteers than 10 years ago came forward across England and North Wales to give blood last year.

The organisation is calling for more people to help fill the gaps by donating.

To mark the start of National Blood Week, which starts on Monday, and culminates with World Blood Donor Day on the Sunday, NHS Blood and Transplant has explained that 204,000 new volunteers need to come forward this year across England and North Wales to keep the nation’s blood stocks at a safe level for the future.

Those who are 17 or over, should visit blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.

An app is available for download by searching NHSGiveBlood in the store.

NHS Blood and Transplant are also encouraging people to spread the word on social media.